SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Operating Results of the Company's Reportable Segments Through the Gross Margin Level

The tables below summarize the operating results of the Company’s reportable segments through the gross margin level, as that is the measure of profitability used by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance and make decisions regarding the allocation of resources. A reconciliation of gross margin to operating earnings at a consolidated level is also provided. Total assets by reportable segment are not disclosed as these assets are not reviewed separately by the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The dollar amounts in the segment tables are presented in thousands. The Company’s segment presentation for the prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation.

	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Commercial Products Division		Government Programs Division		Workers’ Compensation		Elim.			Total
Operating revenues
Managed care premiums	$	5,737,626	$	7,236,240	$	—	$	(47,491	)	$	12,926,375
Management services	429,209		—		757,779		—			1,186,988
Total operating revenues	6,166,835		7,236,240		757,779		(47,491		)	14,113,363
Medical costs	4,649,073		6,252,192		—		(47,491		)	10,853,774
Cost of sales	—		—		266,803		—			266,803
Gross margin	$	1,517,762	$	984,048	$	490,976	$	—		$	2,992,786
Selling, general and administrative										2,080,236
Depreciation and amortization										152,859
Operating earnings										$	759,691

	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Commercial Products Division		Government Programs Division		Workers’ Compensation		Elim.			Total
Operating revenues
Managed care premiums	$	6,053,178	$	4,990,770	$	—	$	(28,998	)	$	11,014,950
Management services	387,949		—		783,784		—			1,171,733
Total operating revenues	6,441,127		4,990,770		783,784		(28,998		)	12,186,683
Medical costs	4,891,471		4,178,929		—		(28,998		)	9,041,402
Cost of sales	—		—		283,544		—			283,544
Gross margin	$	1,549,656	$	811,841	$	500,240	$	—		$	2,861,737
Selling, general and administrative										2,016,042
Provider class action - (release)/charge										(159,300		)
Depreciation and amortization										136,865
Operating earnings										$	868,130

	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	Commercial Products Division		Government Programs Division		Workers’ Compensation		Elim.			Total
Operating revenues
Managed care premiums	$	5,564,834	$	4,851,756	$	—	$	(1,950	)	$	10,414,640
Management services	418,221		—		755,055		—			1,173,276
Total operating revenues	5,983,055		4,851,756		755,055		(1,950		)	11,587,916
Medical costs	4,323,704		3,944,193		—		(1,950		)	8,265,947
Cost of sales	—		—		252,052		—			252,052
Gross margin	$	1,659,351	$	907,563	$	503,003	$	—		$	3,069,917
Selling, general and administrative										1,961,947
Provider class action - (release)/charge										278,000
Depreciation and amortization										140,685
Operating earnings										$	689,285